Clutch



July 7, 1931. lw. c. GEwALT CLUTCH Filed Nov. 9, 1928 qw A, (Hmm I mm..

' Patented July 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PAT ENI* OFFICE WILLIAM C. GEWALT, or RACINE, WISCONSIN, AssIGNon To TWIN mso CLUTCH CoM- PANY, oF RACINE, WISCONSIN, A coRroRA'IIoN. oFvwIsCoNsIN CLUTCH My invention relates to the well-known type of clutch'in which a friction disk` or plate connected to one rotary part, as for eX- ample, the iywheel of an engine, is clamped 3 between clam-p disks arranged respectively on opposite sides of the friction plate and movable relativeI thereto for the purpose of closing and opening the clutch. The present invention relates more particularly to convenient means for adjusting the clutch to compensate for wear, etc. Y

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application, Fig. 1 is a diametric view of a clutch embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section, partly in elevation, of the detail of the clutch to which my invention relates;

Fig. 3v is a view similar to Fig. 2 but show- 2@ ing the parts in a different relation; and

' Fig. 4: is a transverse section on the. plane of the line 4 4- of Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1,A 5 is a clamping plate comprisinga hub 6, and a flange or disk 7, the hub being provided with keyways 8 by which it may be keyed to a shaft 9, shown in dotted lines. i The friction disk 10 is provided on op-posite sides witha friction material 11 and formed with an annular series of holes 12 by means of which it may be bolted to a flywheel or the like. A second clamping disk 13 engages vthe lother side of the friction disk, there beinga series of springs 14 intermediate the two clamping- 35 members for forcing the latter away from the friction disk. The clamping member 5 is formedwith an annularseries of pockets 15 to receive the springs.

Member 5 is also formed with an annular series of ribs 16 which cooperate with similar ribs 17 formed in the inner periphery of the annular Opening through clamping disk 13. Thus the two clamping disks are free to move toward and from each other axiallybut 45 prevented from relative turning movement. An annular series of levers 18 is mounted on a fulcrum ring 19 provided with lugs for the purpose, the pivot pin of one of the levers being shown at 20. The fulcrum ring 19 is 5G interiorly threaded at 21 to engage a thread on. the outside of the-hub Gpfor adjustment toward and from the clamping plates.. The levers 18are engaged at their outer ends 21| by an actuating ring 22 which is axially adjustable upon the shaft 9. I have shown this.

ring 22 as engaged in the usual manner by a collar 23 provided. with lugs 2d for engagement ywith the usual lever for shifting-the collar and hence'the ring 22 axially. The

outside of the ringl 22 is so formed that when it isy'thrust to the left, asseen in Fig. 1, the ends 21. of the levers ride downv the-conical surface26and the pressure on` the clamping. disks 13 is thusrelieve'd to, permit the clutch. to open.` IVhen the, ring 22 is thrown to the right the ends of the levers ride up the conical surface of the ring and drop'into the shallow rgroove 27, thus holdingl the levers releasably in the position shown in Fig. 1 in which the clutch is closed. Y The construction as thus far described was` old prior to the present.

invention which relates tothe means for locking the fulcrum ringf19 in adjusted position.

'Ehering-19 is bored at 28 to receive a locking,

pin 29 which, when in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 engages-between adjacent ribs 17 on the clamping disk 13 andthus holds the fulcrum. ring in adjustedk positionv and prevents itfromturning. In order. to releasably khold the locking pin 29 in either of its two.Y

adjustedv positions it is formed with a pair of grooves 30--31, the adjacent walls of which are chamfere'd or eased away to form an intermediate globular'portion 82. Preferably,

' the fulcrum ring is formed with a boss or enlargement 33 in which the bore 28 is formed. The boss is slit or slotted transversely of the ring as at 34, the slit being of sufficient width rto receive and permitkfree movement of a pressure the pin may be thrust inward from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 2, the spring yielding to permit the enlarged or globular portion 32 of the pin to pass between the ends of the spring. Like- Wise, when the pin is pulled outward with suicient force the spring yields to permit the globular portion 3Q to pass and the pin to return to the position shown in Fig. 3.

In adjusting the clutch the pin is first drawn out into the position shown in Fig. 3 and then the fulcrum ring turned until it has been adjusted to a position such that the levers 18 Will exert the proper pressure on the clamping disk 13. The ring is turned until the pin is brought into registry with one of the grooves in the inner periphery of the clamping disk 13 and then pressed inwardly into the position shown in Figs. l and 2 to lock the ring against accidental turning.

I claim:

In a device of the class described a pair of members angular-ly adjustable with respect to each other, one oi said members 'having an annular concentric series of recesses and the other of said members a bore adapted to be brought into registry with any7 one of said recesses as said members are relatively rotated, the last mentioned member being also slitted on a plane substantially perpendicular to said bore, a locking pin in said bore adapted to slide therein into an inner position in which it engages one of said recesses and into an outer position in which it is out of engagement with the first-mentioned member, said pin being formed with circumferential spaced grooves and an intermediate enlargement tapered toward the respective grooves7 and a bifurcated spring member anchored against movement longitudinally of the pin in the slit in the lastmcntioned member and engaging the pin on opposite sides thereof and adapted to yieldingly hold the pin either in the locking or in the unlocked position.

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name.

IVILLIAM C. GEVVALT. 

